Book a tour of Baku if you want to go beyond the city and feel the breath of ancient land. The Gobustan excursion shows a very different side of Azerbaijan — wild, untouched, and full of secrets from thousands of years ago. The route combines the industrial history of Caspian oil, the strange landscapes of mud volcanoes, and rock carvings that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. In just one day, visitors travel from the birth of the oil era to the Stone Age. For travelers interested in history, archaeology, and nature, this destination is a highlight of many Baku tours. A stop at the Gobustan mud volcanoes—a unique natural phenomenon found in only a few places on Earth—deserves special attention. Here, the earth seems to breathe, pushing cold, mineral-rich clay to the surface, while lunar landscapes stretch out all around, as if transported from another planet.
Book a tour in Gobustan and Mud Volcanoes: A Journey to the Roots of Baku
₼40
₼30
Tour Itinerary
The tour starts at a monument of the industrial age — the world's first mechanically drilled oil well, located in the Bibi-Heybat area. Drilling finished in 1846 under the direction of engineer Vasily Semyonov, more than ten years before the famous Drake well in the USA. This well was the starting point of the world's oil industry and turned Baku into one of the biggest oil centers in the world, attracting investors like the Nobels and the Rothschilds. Visitors can see the restored well and learn how Caspian oil changed the global economy.
The landscape slowly changes: green fields disappear, and a grey clay plain full of craters and bubbling mud appears instead. Azerbaijan has the highest number of mud volcanoes in the world, and their density around Gobustan surprises even experienced travelers. A walk among the mud volcanoes feels like stepping onto another planet — the silence, the smell of minerals, and the slow movement of thick mud create a feeling of living, breathing earth. Local legends say that jinns lived here, and the mud itself is believed to have healing powers. There are about 800 mud volcanoes in the world, and around 400 of them are found in Azerbaijan.
The road then goes past the Bibi-Heybat oil rigs — an industrial landscape that became part of film history. This is where scenes from the James Bond movie "The World Is Not Enough" were filmed, including a chase with a BMW Z8 among the oil towers. The guide will point out a real oil pipeline that carries Caspian oil to western markets, and will talk about the worker settlements that grew up around the oil fields. Booking a Baku excursion is worth it just to see this cinematic industrial landscape with your own eyes.
The Gobustan Reserve is located 65 km from Baku, at the foot of the Jingirdag Mountains. It is a unique open-air museum protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Preserved here are rock carvings dating back more than 5,000–6,000 years, depicting people, animals, and hunting scenes. Over 6,000 petroglyphs, carved by the region's ancient inhabitants, have been discovered within the reserve. In addition to rock art, visitors can see mysterious mud volcanoes and the *gavaldash*—a "singing stone." A modern museum complex featuring an exhibition hall showcases the history and culture of Azerbaijan's ancient population. Gobustan is considered one of the most important centers for the study of prehistoric art in the Caucasus.
The main part of the program is a visit to the petroglyphs of the Gobustan reserve, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During a walk through the protected area, you will see rock carvings made thousands of years ago. The guide will talk about human evolution, the life of Homo sapiens, and the social structure of ancient tribes. The Gobustan Museum adds to the story with modern multimedia exhibits. For many travelers, a trip to Gobustan becomes the highlight of their visit to the country. Booking a Baku tour to this destination means seeing how modern city life exists next to thousands of years of human history.
Tour Category:
Day Trips
Group Size:
1-17
Start Time:
7:30
Duration:
6-7 hours
Pickup Location:
Azerbaijan avenue 1/ KFC parking
What's Included
- Services of a professional Russian-speaking guide throughout the entire route
- Transportation in a comfortable car or minibus
- Guided tour of the petroglyphs area with detailed historical explanations
- Stops at key locations for photos
- A well-organized itinerary with a comfortable balance of driving and walking
- Informational support and the opportunity to ask the guide questions throughout the trip
What's Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Entrance tickets to 2 museums — 15 AZN
- Transfer (taxi) to the mud volcanoes — 10 AZN per person
- Lunch (selection of national dishes) — 18 AZN
Note
For your comfort, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the morning (around 7:30–10:00), traffic in Baku can be heavy. To avoid traffic jams and make the trip more comfortable, the tour starts early. Guests who book an individual tour can choose their own start time, but we still recommend an early departure for a more comfortable experience.
About 10–15 minutes after leaving the city center, the group makes a stop where you can buy a light snack, coffee, or tea at reasonable prices — you get around 15 minutes for this. Many hotels also let you order a lunch box in advance at the reception desk.
On average, the tour lasts 4 to 6 hours. The exact time depends on the format — group or individual — and the group's pace.
Without stops, the drive from central Baku to the Gobustan Museum takes about one hour.
Lunch is served at "Jahangir" restaurant, where guests can try traditional Azerbaijani dishes and enjoy the atmosphere of national hospitality.
On an individual tour, this can be arranged in advance when booking.
For group tours, hotel transfer can be arranged in advance for an extra fee. For individual tours, transfer can be included in the price if agreed during booking.
Tickets to Gobustan National Park and the off-road transfer to the mud volcanoes are paid separately, when you meet your guide.
In a group tour, about 15 minutes is given for this stop — usually enough for sightseeing and photos, based on the full program schedule. On an individual tour, this time can be extended if guests wish.
Yes, there is a chance to use a toilet in the Gobustan area during the tour.
For the trip to Gobustan and the mud volcanoes, wear comfortable, casual clothes that let you move easily. Choose closed shoes that are good for walking on rocky, uneven ground. In warm weather, bring a hat and sunglasses; in cool or windy weather, bring a light jacket. This will help you enjoy the tour without discomfort.
The program includes both driving and walking parts. The walking sections are at the petroglyphs, the museum, and the mud volcano area. In total, walking takes about 2–2.5 hours, but it is spread out between locations, so the route is not tiring.
Depending on the group size and tour type, transportation is provided in comfortable vehicles, including Mercedes Vito, Toyota, Mercedes Sprinter, or a private sedan for individual tours.
Yes, the tour is suitable for guests of all ages. Comfortable shoes are recommended, since part of the route goes through natural terrain and dirt roads.
Yes, it is possible to visit without a guide. However, most travelers choose an organized tour for its convenience, time savings, safety when reaching remote natural sites, and better value compared to traveling independently.
Filming is allowed at most locations. Gobustan National Park has some rules — smartphone photography is allowed there. The petroglyphs, mud volcanoes, and museum exhibits are all great spots for photos.
The trip to Gobustan and the mud volcanoes is often combined with the main sights of the Absheron Peninsula, and can also be joined with an Old City tour. This makes the day more complete and saves money. For those who want a longer program, combined tours with the Old City and Absheron are available — check the "Similar Tours" section for details.
Check the "FAQ" section in the site menu — you will find more answers for travelers there. If you still have questions, contact us through the "Contact" section, also in the site menu. We usually reply within 24 hours and are happy to help with any information you need. 😊